Lanez has been relocated to a medium-security prison to begin his 10-year sentence, with a 305-day credit for time served.
Three years after Megan Thee Stallion accused rapper Tory Lanez of shooting her in the feet, the rapper has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and has been transferred to North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, where he will begin to serve out the rest of his sentence.
On Aug. 8, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Herriford handed down the sentence seven months after Lanez was convicted on three counts at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Lanez had 60 days after his sentencing to file his notice of appeal.
On Dec. 23, a jury found Lanez guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm; discharging a firearm with gross negligence, and carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle; along with allegations that he personally used a firearm and inflicted great bodily injury.
Over seven months later, after a change in representation for Lanez, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Herriford rejected Lanez's appeal for a new trial. While the judge originally scheduled his sentencing for June 13, he later granted Lanez's legal team a continuance and moved the sentencing date to Aug. 7, giving Lanez’s lawyers more time to prepare.
Megan, 28, has been at the center of a maelstrom since coming forward with her allegations against Lanez in August 2020. Lanez was officially charged in October 2020 with a felony count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, negligent discharge of a firearm and having a concealed and unregistered firearm in a vehicle.
Lanez -- whose real name is Daystar Peterson -- pleaded not guilty to the charges, previously saying that "the truth will come out." He was barred from speaking publicly about the case and was put under house arrest after another violation of Lanez's bail in which he allegedly attacked singer August Alsina. The Canadian rapper faces a maximum of 22 years and eight months in prison if convicted.
Since Megan came forward, the case has played out on social media and even in music released by rappers not involved in the conflict. On his album, Daystar, released in 2020, more than two months after the encounter, Lanez refuted Megan's allegations on the album's first track, "Money Over Fallouts," claiming that Megan and her team are trying to frame him.
On the other hand, Megan has called out false reporting, dealt with Lanez allegedly fabricating emails from her label for the press and suffered intense victim-blaming from the shooting incident.
In an interview for the July cover issue of Rolling Stone, Megan stated that at the conclusion of the trial, "I want him to go to jail. I want him to go under the jail."
"I think it’s so crazy that people are able to get online or publish anything that is not a 100 percent fact," Megan told Rolling Stone. "That really is messing with my life. How are you able to do it and get away with it?"
"I see people saying, 'Damn, I would’ve shot that b**ch too.' In some kind of way I became the villain," she said. "And I don’t know if people don’t take it seriously because I seem strong. I wonder if it’s because of the way I look. Is it because I’m not light enough? Is it that I’m not white enough? Am I not the shape? The height? Because I’m not petite? Do I not seem like I’m worth being treated like a woman?"
Megan added, "I’m trying every day to get through it and be good. I feel so bad because I don’t feel like anybody’s taking me seriously, but I don’t want them to see me cry. I don’t want them to know that I feel like this, because I don’t want them to feel like, 'Oh, I got you. I’m breaking you.'"
Keep scrolling ahead for a comprehensive recap of everything that's gone down since the trial began in December 2022.
Dec. 12: Trial begins with opening statements
According to Rolling Stone, on Dec. 12 Los Angeles County Assistant District Attorney Alexander Bott told jurors Lanez ordered Megan -- whose real name is Megan Pete -- to "dance b**ch" as Lanez allegedly fired five shots at her after she got out of an SUV during an argument in the Hollywood Hills.
Bott also revealed that key witness Harris will testify that she saw Lanez fire the semiautomatic 9mm handgun that wounded Megan in both feet.
"Kelsey will tell you that she just saw her close friend get shot by the defendant," Bott told jurors, adding that Harris rushed to Megan's side as the "Savage" rapper lay bleeding in a random driveway in the Hollywood Hills. Bott said Harris will testify she freaked out when Lanez approached the two women after he allegedly fired five shots.
Bott alleged that Megan and Harris were "terrified" at the scene when they agreed to return to the car before it was pulled over by officers a short time later. He revealed that Harris sent three text messages to Megan's bodyguard, Justin Edison, in the five minutes following the shooting.
A visual of the text chain presented in the courtroom showed that Harris texted Edison "Help" at 4:27 a.m. on July 12, 2020. "Tory Shot Meg," the next line read. "911," the third bubble read.
Texts from Lanez to Megan and Harris, in which he apologized and said he "genuinely just got too drunk" but "can't change what I did" were also reportedly read in court. Lanez's defense attorneys claimed he was not admitting to shooting a gun, but to being sexually involved with both Megan and Harris.
Lanez's lawyer, George Mgdesyan, said the argument in the car had involved Harris, who was angry when she learned that Megan had been intimate with Lanez. The defense suggested that there is a lack of physical evidence to prove the case against Lanez since his DNA had allegedly not been found on the gun.
Dec. 13: Megan Thee Stallion takes the stand to testify
On Dec. 13, the GRAMMY winner took the stand for most of the day. Her time on the stand saw the artist fight back emotions as she recounted her allegations against Lanez, and faced him in the courtroom while delivering her emotional testimony. Although Megan did not press the charges and is not on trial, her testimony is undoubtedly the biggest moment of the trial.
"I just don't feel good," Megan told the court after being asked by Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta if she was nervous, according to The Los Angeles Times. "I can't believe I have to come up here and do this."
Megan was directed to recount her personal relationships with both Lanez and Harris, and said that she and Lanez began arguing as they were driving away from a party at Jenner’s house with Lanez, his bodyguard and Harris. Lanez was allegedly upset with Megan because she asked him to leave the party.
Megan told the court that she and Lanez had become friends and bonded over the shared loss of their mothers in the months before the shooting. They also occasionally had a sexual relationship, which Harris learned for the first time inside that SUV, according to Megan.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Megan said that Harris had a "crush" on Lanez, and after the revelation about their sex lives, the argument spiraled out of control. Lanez allegedly called both women "b**ches and hoes," she testified, and then the two began bickering over the state of their musical careers.
Megan criticized Lanez's "musical skills" which is what she says led to the altercation.
"Tory was basically telling me I wasn't s**t, and I said, 'Actually, You ain't s**t. This is where you at in your career. This is where you at with your music.' And I feel like that really rubbed him the wrong way. He kept yelling and cursing," she said, according to Rolling Stone.
Ta asked Megan to recall the events of the alleged shooting, with the "WAP" hitmaker reiterating, "I heard the gunshot. I don't know how many, but feels like it went on forever."
She told Ta that she heard multiple gunshots, going on to confirm that an audio recording of the shots sounded like the events of the night.
"I've never been shot at before in my life," Megan said, claiming that she saw Lanez shooting "at me."
"As soon as he started shooting, I put my head down," Megan claimed, stating that she lowered her head because "I was scared, and I didn't move."
Megan told jurors that when she eventually returned to the car, Lanez allegedly promised her and Harris $1 million if they did not tell police about the incident, claiming he was on probation for a prior weapons offense.
She said once Los Angeles officers stopped the vehicle, she grew more afraid of the situation escalating and was scared they would also shoot her. The officers subsequently found the gun still warm to the touch on the floorboard near where Lanez had been seated, Bott told the courtroom, adding that Lanez and Harris both later tested positive for gunshot residue.
When asked why she didn't initially report the alleged shooting, Megan reiterated her previous assertion that she wanted to protect everyone involved, especially during in the wake of the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
"This was at the height of police brutality... I felt like if I said this man just shot me, I didn't know if they might shoot first and ask questions later," she testified. She also noted how "in the Black community... it's not really acceptable to be cooperating with police officers."
Megan said her reasoning was two-fold because, as a woman in the music industry, "people have a hard time believing you anyway."
After returning from a break, Megan's time on the witness stand continued, and the artist was reportedly visibly emotional.
"I’m having a really difficult time sitting up here comfortably telling my story," Megan told the court, according to Rolling Stone. "I've got to sit across from Tory ... I’m really trying to come off as a strong woman. I don’t want to give them the power they’ve been taking from me going on three years."
Megan also said that the alleged shooting -- and subsequently going public with her allegations -- has taken a toll on her life.
"Every man in a position of power in the music industry has taken his side...Because I was shot, I’ve been turned into some kind of villain, and he’s the victim," Megan stated. "This has messed up my whole life."
"Not a day goes by without being called a liar," she continued. "This whole thing is about who I was having sex with, not who shot me, and I don't know why."
"I'm embarrassed because I'm a grown woman hanging with people I have no business hanging out with," she said about her regrets over the incident. "Now look at how everybody want to view me…. How could I share my body with someone who would shoot me… Now every week there's an article calling me a 'hoe.'"
The rapper admitted to suicidal ideations since the incident, stating, "I don't want to live. I wish he had just shot and killed me if I had to go through this torture."
Ta ended her questioning by touching on Megan's relationship with Harris, whom the rapper said she no longer has a relationship with, explaining they fell out "probably in 2020" when Harris "met with Tory after he shot me… They went and turned the story around."
Although Megan said she told Harris she felt "betrayed" when they met up, she asserted that she has no doubt that it was Lanez, not Harris, who allegedly shot her that night.
When Mgdesyan took over for cross-examination, he asked Megan if she had lied about her relationship with Lanez during a broadcast interview with Gayle King in April, as well as to police and prosecutors, which she confirmed.
She also explained that she never told police about her claims that Lanez said he'd give her $1 million for her silence or that he told her he was already on probation.
Dec. 14: Kelsey Harris takes the stand to testify
On Dec. 14, Harris took the stand for her testimony. Despite the DA's declaration that they had no intent to prosecute her, Harris' attorney asserted her 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination and was granted "use immunity" by prosecutors. Judge Herriford said he determined her concerns were "legitimate."
"I don't care to be here today, it's a triggering situation," Harris said when asked if she's having any feelings about being on the stand. She said she's been dealing with a lot of anxiety postpartum and dealing with a death. She told jurors that she doesn't like her name being thrown out there and called accusations that she shot Megan “ridiculous.”
Harris said Megan is painting a picture that she betrayed Megan and is a bad friend who took hush money, "which isn't the case."
Harris explained that she's known Megan since their freshman year of college, dating back to 2013. The rapper asked Harris to be her assistant in 2018, a role which would involve traveling with Megan while assisting her in various duties. "She and I were very close friends, she trusted me, I trusted her," Harris testified.
Harris went on to claim that Megan encouraged her to pursue a romantic relationship with Lanez after they all met in early 2020 at a RocNation brunch. Harris stated that she and Lanez were "more than just friends" and had romantic encounters.
On the night of the alleged shooting in July 2020, Harris claimed she, Megan and EJ -- Megan's stylist -- went to Jenner's house for a "small get-together." She emphasized that the event was not a party, saying there were "six people total" present.
Harris said that the night started off innocently enough, but as the night progressed and people consumed alcohol, she claimed that Megan's demeanor was "off" as she kept drinking. Harris claimed that a lot of her memory of the party was "blurry" because of alcohol consumption and she recalled passing out at one point.
When Harris woke up, she said she was told by EJ that they needed to go, but Megan didn't want to. Harris could not recall when Lanez arrived at the get-together but recalled that Megan's "wig was shifting and she wasn't herself" and that Megan had been in pajamas when they left, not a bathing suit.
Harris claimed that she left with Megan but had to return to Jenner's place because Megan forgot something. She said Megan went inside and found Lanez there, which is when a fight ensued. She claimed she doesn't know what was said or what happened because she wasn't inside but, when Megan returned with Lanez, Megan claimed Jenner kicked them out.
According to Harris, Megan was rambling in the car. She recalled "lots of going back and forth" and that they were "all arguing" at one point. Harris claimed Lanez was demanding that Megan tell the truth, while Megan was telling Harris not to listen to him. Harris claimed Lanez told her that he and Megan had a relationship, which kicked off an argument between Harris and Megan about the latter's "disloyalty."
Harris reiterated Megan's claim that the rapper argued with Lanez about music and that Megan told him he had a lackluster career.
When prosecutors asked Harris if she recalled Lanez calling them "b**ches and hoes," she said she didn't. Harris also pleaded the fifth when asked whether Lanez threatened to shoot her in the car.
The DA reminded Harris that she previously confirmed both events during a September 2022 interview with the prosecution. She responded that she "guesses" she said that, but ultimately didn't recall.
When the trial resumed after a lunch break, Harris claimed that the things she said in her deposition were "inaccurate." She says she said certain things "to protect herself."
The DA played back several parts of her deposition for her to "recall" what it is she said, such as saying Lanez reached for the center console, but Harris continued to say she didn't remember.
Harris claimed that the car carrying her, Megan and Lanez pulled over twice after leaving Jenner's home. The first time, she claimed, Megan and Lanez got out to talk outside the car and reentered "happy and as if nothing happened." But eventually, more arguing commences, this time between all three, she said.
Harris once again claimed she doesn’t recall the exact words and said "it’s a blur," to which the DA responded, "when you spoke to us in September, it wasn't a blur was it?"
She continued, saying she remembered Megan and Lanez "hitting each other over their careers as artists" and that, at one point, she and Megan argued about "her backdooring me."
When asked if this was the stop where she heard shots, Harris asked to take fifth again, but Judge Herriford told her she had to answer the question. Harris continued to say she didn't remember. When asked if she received any bribes from Lanez, Harris responded that she "wouldn't say bribe," refuting the phrasing used by the DA. "Not just me, I wouldn't say bribe," she said.
When asked if Lanez offered her $1 million not to say anything, Harris said she "assumes" the money was about the shooting but Lanez never said explicitly what it was for. "I guess if that is what you want to call it," she responded when asked if Lanez's alleged offers to fund a future business and pay for her attorneys were in exchange for Harris keeping silent.
But Harris noted that she doesn’t want any connection or correlation to Lanez and rejected his alleged offers for money, saying that she told him "I don't need you to do anything for me.
Harris was once again asked about the car's second stop, claiming that she and Megan got out of the car at the same time and that she hadn't been looking around while exiting the car, which is when she heard shots. She doubled down on her position that what she said in her deposition was "to protect" herself, but they were "not all true."
The DA replayed Harris' deposition in which she said she heard five or six gunshots soon after getting out of the car and when she looked up, she saw Lanez hanging out of the driver's side. On the stand, Harris refuted her previous testimony, saying "it was a night of alcohol" and she doesn't recall saying that.
Harris claimed that she never said Lanez was the one who shot Megan and all she heard were shots that night.
When asked by the DA whether she was holding the gun, shot Megan or had any part in it, Harris said she didn't. The DA followed up by asking who apologized for the shooting, to which Harris responded that she "doesn't remember" an apology from that night.
Although Harris admitted she went to check on Megan after hearing gunshots, she claimed not to know where the blood she saw came from and couldn't recall whether Megan was bleeding.
The DA asked Harris if she remembered saying that Megan seemed like a "deer in the headlights" and that she saw Lanez aiming the gun downward toward Megan, which Harris subsequently denies remembering. She admitted to saying she was "in defense mode."
Harris continually doubled down on her statement that she said things that were not true during her deposition, claiming her "mind isn't here."
Dec. 15: Kelsey Harris returns to the stand to testify
Harris returned to court on Dec. 15, but before jurors heard from the ex-assistant, Dr. Lee Haruno, chief resident of orthopedic surgery at Cedars-Sinai, took the stand.
Dr. Haruno reportedly walked jurors through X-rays showing the wounds to Megan’s feet, sharing that they identified four metallic bullet fragments embedded in her feet, and removed what they could during emergency surgery that night in July 2020.
According to Rolling Stone, Judge Herriford ruled that the defense can call LAPD Det. Ryan Stogner to ask why he didn’t pursue Harris as a possible shooter, but cannot bring up that he's on administrative leave, or anything about him being arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, reportedly saying that line of questioning about the off-duty incident behind Stogner's arrest would be "far more prejudicial than probative."
When Harris returned to the stand, the DA reportedly clarified to the witness that her use of immunity does not cover perjury before asking her if Megan was shot that night in 2020. "Again, her team told me she stepped on glass," Harris testified.
The DA pointed out that Harris sent a text saying that Megan was shot moments after it happened. "That's my assumption," Harris responded, saying that while she did hear gunshots that night, she didn't see Megan limping.
Lanez's lawyer, Mgdesyan, began his cross-examination of Harris, asking if she'd had any contact with Lanez or his lawyers or felt intimidated in any way, and she responded no.
"I would actually like to make that very clear. I've seen some things and I'm tired of that line. So, no," Harris added when asked if Lanez had paid her anything.
Mgdesyan reportedly began to ask questions implying the prosecution had pressured Harris to testify, which Bott argued had opened the door to playing the full 80-minute recording of Harris' interview from September to defend the integrity of the prosecution.
Harris continued to testify that most of the occurrences of that night were "blurry" because the group had been drinking at Jenner's home prior to the alleged assault.
"Kelsey, I understand it was alcohol," Mgdesyan said during cross-examination, before asking if there had been a physical fight between her and Pete. "We probably just, like, bumped into each other," she responded.
It was reported that after some deliberation, Judge Herriford will in fact allow prosecutors to play Harris' entire interview for the jury.
Dec. 16: Prosecutors play Kelsey Harris' entire interview for the jury
Due to Lanez's lawyer implying the prosecution had pressured Harris to testify, Judge Herriford has given prosecutors permission to play Harris' entire 80-minute interview for the jury.
On the recording, Harris reportedly confirmed that Lanez called Megan "b**ches and hoes" and told prosecutors Lanez threatened to shoot her, saying she told him, "If you shoot me, you shoot me, I guess it's my time to go." Then she said the argument turned to artistry.
Harris claimed that the fight was mainly about their musical careers and reportedly told prosecutors that Megan said Lanez is only famous because of his remix with Jack Harlow, which led to Lanez lashing out at the Grammy winner.
She said after Megan got out of the vehicle, Harris turned at the sound of the "second or third" gunshot and saw Lanez "leaning over the front passenger door" to shoot at Megan. She asserted that Lanez was shooting "definitely in her direction" and described fearing for her life later as Lanez pulled on her hair and neck "because it was really hard."
"She was facing towards us, and I would describe it as like a deer in headlights," she reportedly told prosecutors.
The final testimony from the day was from DNA experts who reportedly told jurors that Lanez's DNA was not on the gun magazine and that although it can't be concluded that his DNA wasn't on the gun, it can't be said that it was, either.
Dec. 19: LAPD Officer Sandra Cabral and Megan Thee Stallion's former stylist, Eric Culberson, take the stand to testify
Monday's proceedings began with prosecutors reportedly attempting to add two new witness tampering charges to Lanez's felony assault trial but Judge Herriford said they waited too long.
"I think it's unfair at this juncture, so I would deny that motion," the judge said, according to Rolling Stone.
Prosecutors also asked the court for an extra day to present their case or permission to reopen their presentation after defense rests since they have been unable to locate an important witness.
Over the weekend, Megan's lawyer, Alex Spiro, claimed her former head of security, Justin Edison, went "missing" ahead of his expected testimony on Dec. 16. "He was set to testify. He's somebody who's always plugged-in, on the grid, responsive, and as he's set to testify in a violent crimes case, he goes missing," Spiro told Rolling Stone.
Judge Herriford said he would allow prosecutors to rest their case with the option to reopen if they tracked down their witness.
Prosecutors then called two prior witnesses back to the stand. LAPD Officer Sandra Cabral took to the stand to first introduce police bodycam footage showing the police stop after the alleged shooting. Jurors saw the video of Harris being handcuffed, in which she is crying and asked, "Megan, you OK?" as Megan limped away to an ambulance, also in handcuffs.
When asked about Lanez's "demeanor," Cabral said she didn't see anything as he was handcuffed and stood with his head down, facing a wall.
During cross-examination, Mgdesyan repeatedly asked if Cabral recalled hearing Lanez also express concern for Megan, at one point specifically asking if she heard him saying, "Meg-o, you're gonna to be OK, you OK?"
Prosecutors objected to the question, and the judge agreed it was improper, so the officer didn't answer.
Prosecutors also called a D.A. investigator back to the stand to ask about Harris' diss track targeting Megan titled "Bussin Back." The song was released back in November 2020 and prosecutors highlighted the lyrics, "You know it wasn't me," and "All you had to do was clear your best friend's name," reportedly to combat the defense theory that Harris could have been the shooter.
Harris also refers to "Dez" on the track -- "Dez said if I spoke that a sex tape could drop" -- which is presumed to be Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation, according to Billboard.
Mgdesyan called Megan's former stylist, Eric Culberson, known professionally as EJ King, to the stand to testify about the party he attended at Jenner's house with Megan, Harris and Lanez ahead of the alleged shooting.
King corroborated Harris' prior testimony that Megan and Harris left Jenner's house alone with Lanez's driver before they allegedly returned to retrieve Lanez. The stylist also claimed he never heard Megan or Harris say that Lanez carried a gun, and that he did not see a firearm at any point the night of the alleged shooting.
Dec. 20: Sean Kelly, the 911 caller from the night of the alleged shooting, takes the stand
On Tuesday, the defense called Sean Kelly, the 911 caller from the night of the alleged shooting to testify. Kelly reportedly witnessed some of the incident from a balcony overlooking Nichols Canyon Blvd.
Kelly claimed he was woken up by arguing and looked out his window to see "two girls" fighting, presumably Megan and Harris. "They we're pulling the hair and hitting each other it was quite violent," he claimed.
Kelly claimed he saw the driver exit, wearing all black, and he joined the fray. Kelly was scared, and he asked his son to come into his room. He testified several times that he saw a muzzle flash and heard what he thought were fireworks, but believes the flashes were from a woman.
Kelly claimed that he saw both the muzzle flash coming from "one of the girls" but also saw it "about the same time the smallest individual (Lanez) got out of the car."
Mgdesyan reportedly grilled Kelly about his previous interview with a defense investigator, where he claimed he saw Lanez try to take the alleged gun, but on the stand, Kelly said he "never saw that."
Kelly repeatedly testified that he believes a woman fired the alleged first shot, saying, "I believe I saw the girl shoot first." But he claimed he didn't know she had a gun at the time and believed "it was fireworks."
Kelly claimed that he saw four people fighting -- presumably Megan, Harris, Lanez and his driver -- with the "shorter guy pushing and fighting both girls."
That's when Mgdesyan asked Kelly, "Sir, did you see the shorter guy with a gun in his hand?" and Kelly answered, "Yes."
He then claimed that the other three began to beat one woman, saying, "It appeared to me when I was on the phone that they were trying to kill her." Kelly said he heard the driver say the police are coming, and they put the woman in the Escalade and left.
During cross-examination, Deputy Bott asked Kelly why he didn't report a woman shooting when he made his 911 call. Instead, he reported a group beating on a woman.
Kelly claimed that the shorter guy "was very agitated" and had his arms outstretched. "He was firing everywhere," Kelly alleged.
Bott asked how many shots Kelly saw the "short guy" shoot, to which he answered, "Four or five."
Kelly claimed that after "the short guy" allegedly fired, the woman on the ground "was kicking all the time."
"She was crawling and stumbling across the road," he claimed.
Kelly claimed that "the short guy" was shouting "all n-words and f this, f that" directed at "all of them...He was going crazy. Was really agitated."
When it came to the alleged first shot made by a woman, Kelly claimed that he saw "what appears to be the girl shooting into the car," although the vehicle in question was not bullet-ridden when police stopped it minutes later on Hollywood Boulevard.
The case's lead investigator, Detective Ryan Stogner, testified later in the day that Kelly "specifically said he couldn't tell who was holding the weapon."
Stogner also testified about speaking with Megan four days after the shooting, when she first reported she had been shot. When asked by Mgdesyan whether Megan specifically mentioned George Floyd as her reason for her initial excuse, Stogner said the rapper didn't mention Floyd, but "she had mentioned something to the effect of 'because police were shooting Black people,' she was afraid."
The final witness on the stand was Randy Zepeda, a Los Angeles police criminologist who prosecutors called to rebut testimony from the defense's DNA expert.
Zepeda testified that "there is also a possibility that you won't leave any DNA] behind" when firing a fun five times. He said he disagrees with the defense expert's testimony that one of the four DNA profiles on the gun has to be female.
Closing arguments are expected to take place on Wednesday, with the possibility of Lanez testifying before.
Dec. 21: Tory Lanez declines to testify and closing arguments are read
On Wednesday, Lanez was asked if he would be taking the stand to testify in his defense. The rapper declined after prosecutors said they had a stockpile of possible impeachment evidence lined up, including Lanez's alleged assault of fellow musician August Alsina in September, which the judge previously excluded, as well as a music video in which Lanez plays a butcher chopping up horse meat, and Lanez's prior "lies about how tall he is."
The prosecution and defense rested their cases and closing arguments were heard after a lunch break.
Deputy DA Bott reportedly began and ended his closing argument with what he said this case is all about: Megan Pete, aka Megan Thee Stallion.
Bott showed jurors a PowerPoint slide with a photo of Megan and a quote from her testimony last week, which said, "If I would have known that coming out and speaking my truth would come with people agreeing with me being shot, if I would have known I would have started to lose my confidence and started to feel like damn, maybe I should be dead."
"This is a case about a guy who shot a girl, people saw it and then he apologized for it," Bott reportedly said to jurors. He noted that Megan, Harris and Kelly all reported seeing Lanez with a gun and recalled Harris' text to the still-missing Edison saying, "Help/Tory shot Meg/911." He called the text "critical," pointing out that it had been sent five minutes after the shooting.
"She was only thinking about Megan at that time," Bott said. "I just want to stop here for a second. The defense is asking you to believe that Kelsey Harris shot Megan that night, then was comforting her and (held) Megan's legs bleeding on her." He reminded jurors Harris had been drinking heavily in the hours prior.
"Are these the actions of a girl who just shot Megan? Within five minutes of the shooting she sends this text message. Is Kelsey Harris some sort of sophisticated criminal mastermind where she's framing the defendant within five minutes? Is that a reasonable conclusion?" Bott reportedly asked jurors.
Bott alleged that Harris had been "compromised" since she gave her interview in September, adding that Megan's former head of security's disappearance might have been a boon. And he drew the jury's attention to something Mgdesyan said in his opening that didn't play out in testimony, regarding Megan and Harris' alleged shared interest in rapper DaBaby and Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons.
"What does that have to do with this case? Was that just to shame the girls?" Bott asked, referring to the women.
Bott reportedly cited Megan's testimony that she was uncomfortable on the stand because she had to sit in the same room as people who "continuously spread misinformation to make me look like a bad person" and because "I have to sit next to Tory."
"Look what coming forward has done to her life and her career and reputation," Bott told the jury. "You think she wants to be here?"
Bott added that "after more than two years of this torture" for Megan, it's finally time to hold Lanez "accountable for his crimes."
"I want everybody to really think back to last Tuesday. That's when Meg testified," Bott said. "I think everybody in this courtroom felt something that day. This is the critical question in this case: Was Meg telling the truth that afternoon? I think everybody in this courtroom knows the answer to that question. If you believe Megan and what she said last Tuesday, this case is over. We're done. If you believe Megan, that's enough."
According to Rolling Stone, Mgdeseyan urged jurors to reject all of Megan's testimony on the basis she "lied" when she initially told police she stepped on glass and later denied having been intimate with Lanez prior to the shooting.
Mgdesyan said the prosecution's case was "full of holes," requiring "speculation" on the part of the jury. He claimed Megan and Harris got into a violent fight when Lanez revealed he'd been romantic with both women, and that Lanez was allegedly trying to grab the gun away from Harris after she allegedly fired the first shot.
"My client was trying to save the Black woman they're talking about," Mgdesyan argued.
He argued that the text Harris sent to Megan's bodyguard five minutes after the shooting was "self-serving."
Dec. 22: The defense finishes their closing argument, prosecutors give their rebuttal and jurors leave for deliberation
Mgdesyan wrapped up his closing argument on Thursday. Deputy DA Kathy Ta was given the opportunity to give a rebuttal, where she reminded jurors of Mgdesyan claiming that the case "is about sexual relationships."
Ta disputed that claim, arguing the case is about a shooting, not sex. She showed jurors a PowerPoint slide listing what the case was "not about," which included "anyone's sex life," the party at Jenner's house as "the shooting didn't happen at the party" and the LAPD.
Ta also argued that Harris was a "terrible liar on the stand" and wasn't suited for the label of "criminal mastermind" that Mgdesyan was painting her.
The DDA noted that when the shooting occurred, Megan's level of fame was notably higher than the Canadian's, which reportedly caused Lanez to react from his seat in the court.
Ta said Lanez "had a massive ego and he could not handle being disrespected." And when Megan had the nerve to walk away from him, he "lost it and fired five rounds at her, then later apologized for doing so."
"This is a straight-forward case," Ta stated.
After Ta wrapped her rebuttal, the 12 jurors went sent back to the jury room to deliberate on a verdict.
Before jurors left for the day, they asked for a read-back of the testimony from Kelly, the only eyewitness to the shooting who was not directly involved. They also asked the court for "a better definition of the word 'willfully' and 'on purpose.'"
Dec. 23: The jurors find Tory Lanez guilty
After a week-long trial, the jury returned a verdict, finding Lanez guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm; discharging a firearm with gross negligence, and carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle; along with allegations that he personally used a firearm and inflicted great bodily injury.
Lanez now faces more than 22 years in prison. His sentencing has been set for Jan. 27.
Jan. 10, 2023: David Kenner steps in as Tory Lanez's new lawyer, Judge pushes sentencing back to February
On Tuesday, Kenner made his first appearance as Lanez's new lawyer for his first court hearing following his Dec. 23 conviction for shooting Megan Thee Stallion. Judge Herriford authorized Kenner and Matthew Barhoma as the rapper's new lawyers, taking George Mgdesyan and Shawn Holley officially off the case.
According to Rolling Stone, Mgdesyan says he’s leaving on good terms and may still attend Lanez's sentencing hearing, if possible. "As a party who represented Tory and is friends with Tory, I have an interest," he reportedly said.
Judge Herriford approved Kenner's request to postpone Lanez's sentencing so Kenner can file the motion for a new trial. The sentencing has been rescheduled from Jan. 27 to Feb. 28.
According to Law & Crime's Meghann Cuniff, sentencing could be delayed again depending on how long it takes for Lanez's lawyers to get trial transcripts to prepare their motion for a new trial. Deputy DA Ta said prosecutors are open to another delay if the transcripts don’t come in timely.
Cuniff also reported that Kenner asked Judge Herriford to lift the protective order issued in April about what Lanez can say regarding the case, which the judge will consider on Feb. 28.
Feb. 23: Tory Lanez's sentencing to reportedly be pushed back again
On Thursday, reporter Meghan Cuniff claimed that the Feb. 28 sentencing of Lanez has been regulated to a simple "hearing" and the sentencing itself will be delayed.
"The notice from LA Courts just now calls it only a 'hearing.' DA Alex Bott tells me, 'No firm date yet but likely a date in late March to mid April,'" Cuniff tweeted. "This is not unexpected: Bott and his co-counsel Kathy Ta said in court last month that they would be willing to continue the sentencing again, depending on the availability of the trial transcripts that Lanez's attorneys need for their motion for new trial."
As previously reported, Lanez hired David Kenner and Matthew Barhoma as his new lawyers who are currently appealing the case. Back in January, Judge Herriford approved Kenner's request to postpone Lanez's sentencing so Kenner can file the motion for a new trial. As motions take time to file, it's unsurprising that the sentencing would be delayed to give Kenner and Barhoma more time.
"There will still be a hearing Tuesday, in which we should learn the new sentencing date. Unless other issues come up, it could be a very brief hearing," Cuniff added. "Lanez should be there; Weinstein was in court on the day his sentencing was delayed. Judge has to ask him if he agrees to delay."
Feb. 28: Tory Lanez's sentencing is pushed back to April 10
On Tuesday, Lanez's sentencing was officially pushed back once again. His new trial motion will be heard on April 10, and if it’s rejected, then Lanez will be sentenced.
According to reporter Meghan Cuniff, Judge Herriford also lifted the gag order that restricted Lanez from commenting on the case or Megan Thee Stallion.
March 29: Tory Lanez's lawyers file a motion for a new trial
On Wednesday, March 29, Lanez’s lawyers, Jose Baez and Matthew Barhoma, filed a motion for a new trial citing multiple grounds, including a claim that the judge "erroneously allowed" jurors to view a September 2020 Instagram post from Lanez's personal account claiming Megan's now-estranged best friend, Kelsey Harris, was not the shooter.
Multiple reports say the filing includes a declaration from Lanez's content creator, Joshua Farias, in which Farias claims that he was managing Lanez's Instagram account and was the person who replied "that's not true" to a comment on The Shade Room's account stating, "People saying Kelsey shot her."
Lanez's attorneys allege prosecutors ambushed them with the Instagram post mid-trial, and that the judge should not have blocked the post because the defense team did not have sufficient time to figure out who wrote the reply.
"The court erred on numerous questions of law in allowing the People to introduce this post, depriving defendant of a fair trial," the new motion reads. "The only acceptable remedy for this miscarriage of justice is a new trial."
Baez reportedly claims prosecutors used a photo showing Lanez's chest tattoo of a firearm to insinuate to the jury that the rapper has a fondness for guns and "impermissibly chilled" his right to testify by ruling that if he testified, the state could introduce his rap lyrics and a music video under cross-examination.
The filing claims Lanez had a right to "exercise" his right to testify without such impeachment evidence because the California legislature "had already deemed" it "more prejudicial than probative" with the passage of AB 2799, even though the new law hadn't taken effect yet.
Along with the motion, Lanez told Rolling Stone that he and David Kenner have parted ways "due to a scheduling conflict."
"I would like to thank Mr. Kenner for his hard work and wise counsel. Jose Baez will continue to represent me as first chair and Matthew Barhoma as second chair," he added.
April 7: Prosecutors oppose the motion for a new trial, citing "overwhelming" evidence against Lanez.
On Thursday, the prosecution responded to the motion for a new trial, saying it lacks substance and the guilty verdict should remain, according to NBC News. "Despite being nearly 80 pages long, the defendant has failed to cite a single instance of error in the trial court," the prosecutors wrote in their response.
April 10: Tory Lanez's motion for a new trial is delayed to April 17
On Monday, Lanez's motion for a new trial was delayed once again after the rapper's lawyers said they wanted time to respond to prosecutors' opposition. According to legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff, the new hearing will take place on April 17.
"We're disappointed by the continuance," Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott reportedly said.
April 17: Tory Lanez's motion hearing for a new trial delayed to May 8
On Monday, Judge Herriford rescheduled the hearing to consider Lanez's motion for a new trial to May 8. Lanez's lawyers did not file their response to the prosecutors' opposition in time for the hearing and are to file the supplement to their existing motion by May 1. Prosecutors will respond by May 3.
According to legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff, Judge Herriford said "he'll definitely decide the motion on May 8, supplement or not." Jose Baez reportedly joined the hearing via conference call to ask that the hearing be scheduled for May 10 if possible. Herriford said he'd consider the 9th if they haven't gotten it done on the 8th.
May 9: Judge David Herriford rejects Tory Lanez's appeal for a new trial, schedules his sentencing for June 13
The court reconvened on Monday, May 8, to hear from Lanez's legal team -- defense attorney Jose Baez and co-counsel Matthew Barhoma. According to City News Service, Baez argued that procedural errors, prosecutorial misconduct, discovery violations and ineffective counsel led to Lanez's conviction in December.
The motion for a new trial claimed that the judge "erroneously allowed" for jurors to view an Instagram comment from Lanez's personal account that refuted claims that Megan's former friend, Kelsey Harris, was the shooter. The filing also included a declaration from Joshua Farias, an associate of Peterson's, who claimed he was the one who posted the comment.
"The court erred on numerous questions of law in allowing the People to introduce this post, depriving defendant of a fair trial," the motion said. "The only acceptable remedy for this miscarriage of justice is a new trial."
Prosecutors responded to that motion, calling for the court to dismiss the request and stating that Peterson "failed to demonstrate any error by the trial court in support of its motion for a new trial."
Baez argued that Lanez's previous counsel, trial attorney George Mgdesyan, did not have enough time to prepare for trial and ultimately "failed" Lanez.
Judge Herriford repeatedly told Baez that a motions hearing was not an opportunity to "relitigate this case."
On Tuesday, May 9, Judge Herriford denied the motion for a new trial.
Per reporter Meghann Cuniff, Judge Herriford said he found no trial errors in the issues raised by Lanez's legal team. He added that even if he determined the alleged errors were in fact errors, none had such an effect on trial that it could have changed Lanez's guilty verdicts.
Judge Herriford noted that Lanez's lawyers didn't mention any other evidence against Lanez when alleging problems with some evidence, but his job as a judge is to focus on the totality of the case, "not cherry pick very small portions."
"Even if all these rulings had gone your way, the outcome wouldn't be different," Judge Herriford concluded.
Lanez's sentencing is scheduled for June 13. He is facing over 20 years in prison and potential deportation.
June 13: Judge Herriford moves Tory Lanez's sentencing date to Aug. 7
On Tuesday, after tentatively granting the defense's motion to a continuance filed on June 5, Judge Herriford moved Lanez's sentencing date from June 13 to Aug. 7.
Lanez was in an orange jumpsuit and appeared in person. When asked if he was OK with sentencing being pushed back, he said he was. The defense stated they needed more time to prepare for the sentencing hearing.
In a memorandum filed last Tuesday, prosecutors said they want Lanez to serve 13 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, citing his "campaign of misinformation" aimed at humiliating and re-traumatizing her.
"Words have power and the pen is oftentimes mightier than the sword. In this case, Daystar Peterson used both," the memorandum reads. "Not content to have hurt the victim by use of his sword (gun), he also used his pen. His online posts for nearly three years have re-traumatized the victim."
"His online reach is worldwide (millions of followers plus casual observers) and the defendant's statements embolden his followers so that they too have been complicit in re-traumatizing the victim," the memo continues. "He is responsible for the effect of his words and his actions."
The memo asks Judge Herriford to sentence Lanez to six years for first-degree assault with a firearm, with four additional years for the firearm aggravator and three additional years for the great bodily harm. The sentences for the two firearm convictions would run concurrently.
Aug. 7: Tory Lanez's sentencing begins, and witness statements are read on behalf of Lanez
Proceedings got emotional on Monday as Judge Herriford prepares to sentence Lanez. Megan Thee Stallion did not appear in court; instead, ET learned that the Traumazine rapper submitted an impact statement to the prosecution that is to be read in court.
Eight additional witness statements were prepared on behalf of Lanez, with all eight witnesses appearing in person to read their statements one by one. The courtroom reached full capacity, with Lanez's family filling up a good majority of the allocated family space. Lanez's father, Sonstar Peterson, arrived looking somber as numerous family members flanked him on either side.
Judge Herriford ruled that two of the three circumstances prosecutors argued aggravated Lanez's crimes and warranted a longer prison sentence: his use of a semi-automatic firearm and Megan's vulnerability as a victim. He dismissed the argument that Lanez's intentions were cruel, callous and/or vicious, saying that the prosecution did not prove that.
Lanez's father was one of the witnesses who spoke on behalf of his son, pleading that the judge show mercy to his son. He apologized for an earlier outburst in court, saying he was "very emotional" over his son's situation. Peterson, a Christian minister, talked about how Lanez was deeply affected by the death of his late wife, Luella, who died just a few days after showing the first symptoms of a rare blood disorder. "But his music became his outlet," he said.
In a tearful apology, Peterson said, "God has put it in his hands," and quoted a Bible verse.
Judge Herriford revealed that he got over 70 letters of support for Lanez, including one from Australian rapper Iggy Azalea and two jailers. He briefly summarized each letter, saying Azalea asked that the sentence be "transformational, not life-destroying."
A chaplain also spoke, saying that Lanez has started a daily prayer in the protective custody unit that has "lessened tensions" between inmates.
Other witnesses scheduled to speak include Raina Chassagne, the mother of Lanez's 6-year-old son, a non-profit executive who said the organization will struggle without Lanez's assistance and a psychologist who suggested that Lanez's mental state lines up with post-traumatic stress disorder and general anxiety, which both could contribute to alcohol abuse.
Judge Herriford noted that while the shooting involved alcohol, there has never been any evidence of Lanez being an alcoholic, including in any of the witness statements or letters sent on the rapper's behalf. The doctor's reports are seemingly entirely based on Lanez's own statements.
"What is he alleging he did as a result of alcohol-use disorder if he didn’t do anything?" Herriford asked. "What did the doctor conclude he did as a result of alcohol use? It's very unclear."
Prosecutors pushed back against the narrative depicted by the defense, saying Lanez will "say whatever it takes to avoid accountability," suggesting the substance abuse claims are another strategy from his team to avoid a prison sentence.
The court was dismissed Monday evening, and the hearing will continue Tuesday morning.
Aug. 8: Tory Lanez sentenced to 10 years in prison
Court resumed on Tuesday morning. Judge Herriford ruled that probation could be imposed even though Lanez isn't a U.S. citizen. He told Lanez's team that the statute against this issue doesn't apply in this case.
Raina Cassagne, the mother of Lanez's six-year-old son, testified that Lanez has had alcohol addiction issues in the past, citing two examples of him needing his stomach pumped while he was touring overseas between 2018 and 2019.
Cassagne said Lanez would drink up to a full bottle of Patron (750 ml) a night and would often drink due to him being at social or for work engagements. She claimed she and Lanez were going to enter a joint rehab program, she for her postpartum depression and him for alcoholism. While Cassagne was able to go to treatment, she said Lanez wasn't due to work and "life's commitments."
A therapist testified that Lanez exhibits signs of alcoholism and that his former past traumas exacerbated his issues. She said he developed a high tolerance and could function daily with the use of alcohol. The therapist also claimed it's "very common" for people in the public eye to hide their issues because of fame, and therefore, it's not uncommon for this to happen in plain sight.
Lanez's defense team also argued that the DA went above and beyond with their legal "enhancements" when making their 13-year recommendation for the rapper's sentencing. The prosecution pushed back, pointing out that they do this for most cases, saying that Lanez's case isn't an exception because it's considered high-profile. "This was a violent shooting over ego," they argued, adding that the defense "has been trying to use this strategy over and over."
Prosecutors argued that their reason for recommending Judge Herriford sentence Lanez to 13 years in prison is that they believe the rapper could repeat this type of crime in the future.
Calling their client a "first-time offender," Lanez's team claimed that he just had "one bad evening in a lifetime of good deeds."
Lanez spoke during the hearing, and said how Megan is "someone I still care for dearly to this day."
Lanez also told the court that he shared a connection with Megan, stating, "We both lost our mothers. We would sit there and drink, and drink until we got numb."
"As a celebrity I’ve made mistakes but your honor, I’m not standing in front of you as a celebrity but as someone asking for a chance," Lanez implored the judge.
"A common misconception is that I have no remorse, which is not true," Lanez said. "Everything I did wrong that night I take full responsibility for. I will do better."
Ultimately, the rapper was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Lanez has 60 days to file his notice of appeal.
An eyewitness told ET that Cassagne was visibly shaken when the sentencing was handed down by the judge. She exited the courtroom in tears, flanked by family members.
Sept. 14: Tory Lanez's request for bail release as he awaits the appeal decision is denied
Lanez appeared in court on Thursday, over a month after he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, to hear Judge David Herriford's decision after his attorneys motioned for a bail release earlier this month. The rapper is currently appealing to overturn his conviction over the shooting and requested to stay out of prison as he awaits the appeal decision.
Journalist Meghann Cuniff reported that Judge Herriford denied the bail motion, telling the court that the "motion will be denied and proceedings concluded."
According to Rolling Stone, the judge cited the "violent felony" Lanez was convicted of, Lanez's "history of violating court orders," namely the previously instituted protective order, and Lanez's deportation risk as he is not a United States citizen.
Lanez was previously denied probation prior to last month's sentencing when his attorneys said the rapper suffered from alcohol and drug addiction and should go to rehab instead. Herriford also denied Lanez's request for a new trial in May.
Sept. 19: Tory Lanez is transferred to North Kern State Prison to begin serving the rest of his 10-year sentence
After his request for bail release was denied, the rapper was transferred from Los Angeles County Jail to North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, on Sept. 19. Lanez is expected to spend three to six months at the medium-security prison before being transferred to a long-term facility to serve the rest of his sentence.
Although Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison, Judge Herriford gave him a 305-day credit for time served.
Read more about the trial against Lanez below.
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